Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony

Beethoven‘s Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Opus 36, was composed between 1801 and 1802, in probably one of the most depressing periods of his life. At this time, he began to realize that he was becoming deaf. This is also the period where he wrote the famous (or infamous) Heiligenstadt Statement. It reflects his despair over his increasing deafness and his desire to overcome his physical and emotional ailments in order to complete his artistic destiny.

It is worth noting that although this work was written during this testing times, the overall mood of the Symphony is blissful, calm and, to a degree, energetic. This shows his passion for his music cannot (and never did) succumb to his personal struggles in life. Although some of his works depict struggle, they almost always end with triumph and victory.